MANILA, Philippines — Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte stated on Thursday that it would be best to implement the planned obligatory Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) course in colleges and universities.
Duterte, who has been pushing for the country’s mandatory ROTC program to be brought back, confirmed that she has been meeting with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and other lawmakers to talk about how to put it into action.
She stated at the commemoration of Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago’s sixth death anniversary in Marikina City that higher education will be better off spearheading the program. In contrast, primary education will be responsible for instilling discipline and a sense of nationalism among the students during their early years in school.
“During our discussion, I think it was clear sa lahat na mas maganda kung ibalik ang ROTC sa higher education since noon, nasa higher education na talaga siya.”
Vice President Sara Duterte
“The basic education will focus on other parts of the curriculum na mag-install ng discipline and love of country sa ating mga [among the] learners,” she added.